The James Beard Foundation will honor restaurateur and author Cecilia Chiang with its 2013 Lifetime Achievement Award. As the proprietor of San Francisco's famed Mandarin restaurant, which closed in 2006, Chiang introduced American diners to authentic Mandarin cuisine.

“The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes those who have truly revolutionized the way Americans think about food,” says JBF president Susan Ungaro. "Cecilia elevated Chinese cuisine far beyond the takeout box. She completely embodies the spirit of this award.”

The Mandarin enjoyed a loyal clientele, which included Jackie Onassis, Wolfgang Puck, and James Beard. Chiang has also penned two memoirs, The Mandarin Way and The Seventh Daughter.